Mediterranean Mussel
Mytilus galloprovincialis
Summary 4
The Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is native to the Mediterranean, Black, and Adriatic Seas, but has spread (mostly via ballast water and ship hull fouling) to many other regions worldwide. These mussels usually occur in the low intertidal zone of exposed rocky coasts with relatively high wave energy, although in their native range they are also found growing in dense patches on the sandy-muddy bottoms of brackish lagoons (Ceccherelli and Rossi 1984). Although this species is cultivated as food for humans in some parts of Asia, in most of its non-native range it has become a nuisance species, displacing natives, and the IUCN/SSC* Invasive Species Specialist Group has nominated Mytilus galloprovincialis as among the 100 "World's Worst" invaders.
*International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission
In Lake Merritt 5
Technically it's impossible to distinguish this species from other smooth-shelled members of the genus Mytilus without dissection or genetic analysis, but the overall triangular shape and straight edges leading to the hinge of the shell usually indicate this species. The other common mussel we have in the lake is the Atlantic Ribbed Mussel, which is usually larger and has deep grooves in the shell.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Ferran Turmo Gort, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/fturmog/6979927511/
- (c) stefano Merli, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/panic01/6743133283/
- (c) National Museums Northern Ireland and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/mollusca/24670d.jpg
- Adapted by Ken-ichi Ueda from a work by (c) Soulanille, Elaine, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/17763731
- (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Category | Clams / mussels / Oysters |
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